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Hugh de Payens, or de Paganis, was one of the founders of the Knight Templars. He and Godfrey de St. Audomare were, in the beginning of their career, so poor, that, though valiant men, they were obliged to ride on the same horse, in memory of which their primitive poverty, and to the end that they might be mindful of humility, they had the figure of two men riding on one horse engraven on their seal. These Knights having no certain habitation and seeking for a place of abode, were so much favored by Balwin, then King of Jerusalem, that he assigned them a piece of ground within his own palace, situate on the south part of the temple of our Lord. There were at first but nine of the order of Knights Templars, the business as assigned to them by the Patriarch and other bishops was to clear the roads for the security of pilgrims. |
Hugh de Payens |
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For some time then they were confined to that number, but at the siege of Tyre a rule was drawn up for them, and their number then left at liberty. In a short time, they numbered 300 Knight in their house at Jerusalem, besides a wide spread fraternity in other countries. A white hat was assigned them by Pope Honorius, and in the pontificate of Eugenius III, they had red crosses, as a mark of distinction, sewed on their cloaks. From collateral branches of the above Hugh de Paganis descend the Chideokes, Sturtons, Arundels of Cornwall, and a family of Payne, through an heiress. |